Cuba visa processing halted, again

The Cuban Interests Section (CIS) has suspended consular services for the second time in less than three months, after being unable to find a U.S.-based bank to handle its diplomatic accounts.

That means the CIS is not issuing visas for travel to Cuba.

"Consular services will only be provided for humanitarian cases," the CIS said, adding that it regretted any negative impact on travelers.

The CIS first stopped processing applications on Nov. 27 for passports and visas for travel to Cuba when its bank, Buffalo-based M&T Bank, said it would no longer provide financial services to foreign diplomatic missions.